Going to look at a Jeep

[TJ4Jim]

# 2 Son's boss has a 99 SE with 88K on the odometer that he recently bought for his son and it was from South Carolina, well the son rear just ended another SUV and they totaled it. We're going to see if the frame is good then consider swapping his front end and engine from the 2000. His has probably 250+K on it and the frame is getting to a so-so point but all the front metal is good.

 

[penk]

That sounds like a great project. If you do it please post a build thread!

geek. berlin, ma. 2000 TJ. http://planet-geek.com

 

[Chris]

Sounds like a nice project! If you can get it for cheap enough, I say go for it!

 

[TJ4Jim]

We're probably going to look at it tomorrow morning. I'm hoping the frame is in good shape and from what I understand hr hit the guy square in the back.

I was thinking in the $1,500 range if the frame is good, any thoughts ?

 

[Stinger]

I bought a 2000 TJ that hit and then ran over the hood of a Toyota. Insurance company totaled it. I got it for 7k in 2005. I replaced every damaged part with OEM stuff from the dealer. Repainted the hood and new fenders and bought a new soft top, again from the dealer. The right front frame horn was bent and that is the major reason it was totaled. I straighten it with simple hydraulic jacks against beams in my garage. All measurements said the frame was straight.
Several months later I was going to Moab with Stinger. My neighbor ( who had watched my entire rebuild) looked envious. So I said come with us and drive the 2000. Before we got home his wife said buy it. I made twice what I paid for it. Even after paying for the parts and several new tools I made a nice profit. The neighbor still has it and won't sell it back to me!

My moral? Buy what you know you can fix.
Good luck.

 

[TJ4Jim]

I bought a 2000 TJ that hit and then ran over the hood of a Toyota. Insurance company totaled it. I got it for 7k in 2005. I replaced every damaged part with OEM stuff from the dealer. Repainted the hood and bought a new soft top, again from the dealer. The rifght front frame horn was bent and that is the major reason it was totaled. I straighten it with simple hydraulic jacks against beams in my garage. All measurements said the frame was straight.
Several months later I was going to Moab with Stinger. My neighbor ( who had watched my entire rebuil) looked envious. So I said come with us and drive the 2000. Before we got home his wife said buy it. I made twice what I paid for it. Even after paying for the parts and several new tools I made a nice profit. The neighbor still has it and won't sell it back to me!

My moral? Buy what you know you can fix.
Good luck.

As soon as I get to see it I will post some pic's.

 

[Mopar7014]

I too bought a 99 SE that was wrecked and had light frame damage. It was all stock, no lift, nothing. It was white and someone painted the flares blue of all things. Ugly!!!' Low miles. We pulled the light frame damage, added a 2" BDS lift with Fox shocks, new 16" rims, and new 32" tires, and a winch. Painted it sub-lime green. I love it! I get compliments all the time. It's my first Jeep and my favorite vehicle to drive. So don't be afraid of wrecked ones with light damage. Here it is now...

 

[TJ4Jim]

I have no problem getting into a project like that, just trying to get #2 son motivated. He's at a point that he will need a replacement vehicle soon and I think this would be a viable end result.